Today’s Depression and Anxiety Treatments Differ From Yesterday’s

But newer treatments take a faster and more direct route. They target different systems involved in brain flexibility. 

One key player is glutamate, the brain’s most common excitatory neurotransmitter. It’s involved in:  

• Learning 
• Memory 
• Building new brain connections 

In other words, glutamate helps drive neuroplasticity. 

Some newer medications target this glutamate pathway. Other treatments, like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or psychedelic-based therapies, may also promote plasticity through different brain pathways.

This shift has opened the door to more options. Many are aimed at helping the brain adapt and heal more efficiently.

What Are New Depression Treatments?

Treatments that target glutamate appear to jumpstart the brain’s ability to form healthier patterns — often within hours or days. This can be especially helpful for people who have suicidal thoughts or haven’t gotten help from standard antidepressants. 

Those include: 

Esketamine (Spravato)

Esketamine is a prescription nasal spray approved by the FDA for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). It’s also used in adults with major depressive disorder who have suicidal thoughts or actions. It works by targeting NMDA receptors. This raises glutamate levels.  

Things to know: 

• May start improving symptoms within hours 
• Given in a doctor’s office or clinic 
• Effects typically last for several weeks 
• Most people need maintenance treatments every one to two weeks

Esketamine isn’t a one-time fix, but studies show it can provide long-term relief when used consistently. If you’ve tried multiple antidepressants without relief, ask your doctor whether it’s an option for you. Check with your insurance provider to see how much it’ll cost. 

Dextromethorphan and bupropion (Auvelity)

Auvelity is a newer fast-acting oral antidepressant. It combines dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant) with bupropion (an atypical antidepressant). It also targets NMDA receptors and the glutamate system. 

Things to know: 

• It also affects dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin systems
• You take it once a day by mouth, like traditional antidepressants
• Symptoms may improve within the first week of use.  

Though still gaining traction, more doctors are starting to prescribe Auvelity. If you’re interested, ask your doctor if they think it’s right for you and how to request a prior authorization. Since it’s new, insurance coverage may vary. 

Brexanolone (Zulresso) and Zuranolone (Zurzuvae)

These medications are FDA-approved for postpartum depression. They’re lab-made versions of allopregnanolone, a natural hormone that rises during pregnancy and drops sharply after birth. That sudden fall may play a role in triggering postpartum anxiety and depression. 

Things to know: 

• Brexanolone is given through an IV in a health care setting. 
• Zuranolone is the first pill approved for PPD. You take it once a day for two weeks at home. 

Both work by calming overactive brain activity. They act on GABA receptors, which help regulate stress and mood. 

Early studies show zuranolone may also help with other kinds of depression when combined with standard antidepressants, but it’s not FDA-approved for that yet. 

What Is Brain Stimulation?

If antidepressants haven’t worked for you (or you want to avoid drug side effects), there are other options that target your brain in a different way. 

Here are some of the most effective and widely used brain-based treatments: 

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

ECT uses small electrical currents to trigger brief seizures that help reset brain circuits involved in mood. It’s one of the most effective treatments for severe depression, especially when other treatments haven’t helped or when someone is suicidal or not eating or sleeping. 

It’s been around for decades, but it’s much safer and more precise now than it used to be.

Things to know:

• It’s done under anesthesia in a medical setting.
• You get it two to three times a week for several weeks.
• It can cause short-term memory issues, but most people recover quickly.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

rTMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate parts of the brain involved in mood and motivation. It’s noninvasive, which means no surgery. It’s approved for treatment-resistant depression and anxiety with depression.

Things to know:

• You’re awake during treatment.
• It lasts three to 40 minutes.
• You usually get it daily for several weeks
• It can cause mild scalp pain or a headache. 

rTMS has become faster and more targeted in recent years. What used to take six weeks of hourlong sessions can now take just days or a single week with newer, accelerated protocols. 

What Are Today’s Anxiety Treatments?

Anxiety often overlaps with depression, but it’s a distinct condition with its own symptoms and treatment needs. While some medications and therapies help with both, others are more anxiety-specific.

Common treatments include: 

SSRIs and SNRIs. These are first-line medications for most anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, and panic disorder.

Buspirone. A nonsedating anti-anxiety medication. It’s often used alongside SSRIs or SNRIs, especially for GAD.

Hydroxyzine. An antihistamine that can help with short-term anxiety or trouble sleeping. It works quickly but it isn’t used long-term.

Beta-blockers. These don’t treat anxiety itself, but they help ease physical symptoms like shaking or a racing heart, especially in social or performance situations.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). While not new, CBT is still a go-to treatment for anxiety. It helps you notice, reframe, and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.

Exposure therapy. A type of CBT that gradually helps you face fears. It’s especially effective for phobias, panic disorder, and social anxiety.

Are esketamine and brain stimulation used for anxiety?

When Do You Try Something New?

Most people still start with SSRIs and SNRIs. But you might consider newer treatments for your teen if they: 

• Tried several medications with little or no relief.
• Had severe side effects or can’t tolerate standard meds.
• Need faster relief due to the severity of their symptoms. 

If you’re not sure what step to take next, talk with your teen's doctor. Ask about all their  options, including what’s covered by insurance and what might work best based on their history. 

Lifestyle Choices Still Matter

Your teen likely needs more than medication for long-lasting relief, especially if they've had depression or anxiety for a while or if symptoms keep coming back. 

Feeling better and staying better usually takes daily habits that help your teen's brain stay flexible, resilient, and ready to adapt. 

Thy may try these tips: 

• Exercise. Regular movement boosts mood and may help prevent relapse. 
• Sleep. A regular sleep schedule helps stabilize their mental health.  
• Nutrition. An anti-inflammatory diet may lower their chances of depression. 
• Routine. A little structure can ease stress and lower anxiety. 
• CBT. This therapy helps them rework negative thinking patterns. 
• Mindfulness. It helps calm stress and improves focus.

These aren’t just “nice to have” extras. They actually help newer treatments work better. When your teen's brain is in a more change-ready state (like after rTMS or esketamine), habits like movement or therapy can help those changes last. 

And if this all sounds like a lot, that’s OK. Healthy habits can be hard to start when you’re low or overwhelmed. That’s why part of recovery is having support in place to help your teen build them at their own pace. 

What’s Next in Treatment?

Even with fast-acting options like esketamine and rTMS, researchers are still looking for new ways to treat depression and anxiety, especially for people who don’t get help from current meds. 

Here are some areas getting a lot of attention:

Psychedelics. Researchers are studying drugs like psilocybin and MDMA for depression, PTSD, and anxiety. Experts say we’re just starting to see results from larger trials, which are promising. But questions remain about safety, long-term effects, and how to give these treatments. 

Kappa opioid receptor antagonists. These drugs aim to reset the brain’s reward system, which can be disrupted in depression. But so far, results have been underwhelming. While there’s not strong evidence that these drugs will work better than current meds, research is ongoing.  

Anti-inflammatory treatments. Some research suggests that chronic inflammation may play a role in depression or other mood problems, especially in people with other health conditions. Clinical trials are testing whether anti-inflammatory drugs could help.  

Gut-brain therapies. Scientists are exploring how the gut microbiome affects mood and mental health. While the gut-brain connection is real, some experts think we’re still at least a decade away from targeted, reliable treatments. 

Transcranial-focused ultrasound. This technique uses sound waves to stimulate or reset brain circuits involved in mood. The hope is that it may help improve depression, anxiety, or trauma-related symptoms. Results are promising, but more research is needed.  

Takeaways

Depression and anxiety treatment has changed a lot in the last 30 years. While traditional medications like SSRIs and SNRIs still help many people, newer options offer hope if your teen doesn.t get better with older drugs. 

Experts now view depression and anxiety as brain circuit-based disorders, not a simple chemical imbalance. 

The future of treatment includes fast-acting medications, brain stimulation, and new research into psychedelics and other brain pathways. But no matter what your teen tries, healthy lifestyle changes and therapy can still be an effective part of their care plan. 

If your teen needs help managing depression or anxiety, it’s worth exploring what’s changed. There may be an option you haven’t heard of yet. 

Depression and Anxiety Treatments FAQs

• What is the best treatment for depression?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Antidepressants like SSRIs SNRIs and behavioral therapy like CBT are often first-line treatments. But the best choice depends on your teen's symptoms, goals, and history. Most people benefit from a mix of medication, therapy, and healthy lifestyle changes. 

• What is the best treatment for anxiety?

Like depression, SSRIs or SNRIs and cognitive behavioral therapy are first-line treatments. Some people also use lifestyle changes or other medication like buspirone, hydroxyzine, or beta-blockers. 

• How do I know if my teen's antidepressant is working? When do they try something new?

You may notice small changes (like improved sleep or energy) in your teen within one to two weeks. These subtle signs can show the medication is starting to work, even if   your teen's moods take longer to lift. If they've taken a traditional antidepressant for four to six weeks and haven’t improved, they might need to increase the dose, switch to a different medication, or try a newer treatment. 

• Can my teen's depression and anxiety be treated without medication?

Yes. Many people improve with talk therapy, exercise, sleep changes, and stress management. But if your teen has moderate to severe symptoms, they may need medication to fully recover — and stay better.  

• Are new treatments like esketamine or psychedelics safe?

Esketamine is FDA-approved, so you should feel safe with your teen using it (under medical supervision). So far, psychedelics like MDMA and psilocybin seem to be safe, but they’re still being studied. 

• How long do anxiety or depression treatments take to work for my teen?

It varies. Standard antidepressants can take four to six weeks to show full effects. But newer treatments like esketamine work within hours or days. Talk therapy often takes several sessions to make an impact. But it depends on how your teen's condition responds to treatment and how serious their symptoms are.